SPRINGFIELD – Paul Edwards, a resident who has organized a petition drive against a group home for girls at 64 Treetop Ave., in East Forest Park, said in a supplemental letter to local officials on Monday that neighborhood tranquility is at stake.

The letter and the recent petition were filed in response to plans by the Mental Health Association to use the house as a group home for girls, ages 16 to 22, to live in and to help them develop skills for independent living. The youth are under the care of the state Department of Children and Families, receiving care and services through the “Youth in Transition” program.This story is an update of a story published earlier Monday

The letter states that “the peace, tranquility & character of this neighborhood would forever be changed by the MHA business plan of action in pre-empting established local zoning laws.”

Edwards lives at 56 Treetop Ave., next door to the planned group home. The area is zoned Residence A for single-family homes.

The new letter and prior petition were submitted to city officials including office of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the City Council, and the Planning and Building departments. Edwards said he added the letter after learning more about the group home plans and to reflect additional input from neighborhood residents.

Joan Ingersoll, executive director for the association, said the group home will be staffed 24 hours a day, and would not cause disruptions or other negative impacts in the neighborhood.

According to city officials, the group home is exempt from city zoning regulations, and does not need a special permit from the City Council under state law because it involves an educational use. The law is known as the Dover Amendment, but Edwards said he believes it has been “hijacked” by organizations for such group homes.

Edwards said opponents have now collected approximately 80 signatures, primarily from Treetop Avenue and surrounding streets.

Renovations have been going on for a few weeks without any communication with the neighborhood, Edwards said.

“Our neighbors, and apparently the city of Springfield, were never notified of MHA’s intentions, prior to, during or even immediately after the purchase of this private property,” Edwards’ letter states.

The letter asks questions such as if the group homes should be near emergency care hospitals for resident needs, and if there have been “violent outburst & injuries” at such facilities.